I've Decided

I've decided that I need to be writing more, whether its here on my blog, in my journal, or even just little lines in my notebook. I've never considered myself a great writer, probably because I have so much praise for those who I feel deserve the name.

I remember hating poetry when I was in elementary school, I didn't like the fact that it wasn't obvious to me. Yes, I could deal with rhymes like "school" and "cool", that I was alright with... but those dang haikus got me every time. But, I'd have to say that I've made a complete 180 since I've gotten older.

I love dissecting words, researching meanings, finding hidden treasures within the lines. I bought a pocket sized synonyms book that I keep in the desk by my bed.

I am a word nerd (see that rhyme there, I'm so clever).

& now I'm so grateful for the change. It may seem strange, but more often than not, I thank my Heavenly Father for my brain. I thank him for allowing me to think the way I do. I thank him for the insights he gives me, for allowing me to see the depth. I thank him for my understanding of color, and appreciation for those who can capture it. I thank him for the way he has allowed me to see the world.

& that is why I want to start writing. Not because I am any good at it, but because I want to be. Because I know that by trying to put my thoughts into words, or into something concrete, he will allow me to see more than I can now. I want to write because I want to understand, I want to see, I want to know. I want to write, because I want to become better in innumerable aspects of my life, and I believe that writing can get me there.

So excuse me if I start writing about things like cloud formations, or football, or how much I hate those ugly shape up shoes. I'm just practicing.

a REAL update

Just a few of my recent events here in Provo.

I got bangs for fall. & they are already too long. Sad day.

Ferris Wheel and Ice Cream on campus. College is so much cooler than High School.

Friends coming in to town to visit. Matching is cutesy. Bi-monthly Tiki Time.

BYU Football. For better or for worse. Loyal Strong and True.

I LOVE my major. Trips to the museum for homework. Talk about dream come true.

& Surprise packages from a dear friend for my birthday.

College is a blast. I'm busy, all the time. But its full of great things... so no complaining here.

The Girl

So I know I've been MIA. But trust me, its a good thing. For one, my blog posts really aren't all that entertaining... and for two, it means that I'm too happy doing so many other things that I just don't have the time or energy to blog it out. However, every once in a while I'll find something thats just too good not to share. Therefore... I present you with this song. I'm thoroughly obsessed.

You're welcome.

Serenade

I would have to say that I have the best major. Seriously though. No tests in the testing center. Reading poetry is my homework. No math. There is no point in arguing. The other day, my teacher shared this poem with us in class. We were discussing how poets are always striving to share a new idea or a new thought, and he used this poem as an example for setting a new standard, for finding something inventive.

I found it romantic, and just my style.

Serenade

Billy Collins.

Let the other boys form the village
gather under your window
and strum their bean-shaped guitars.

Let them huddle under your balcony
heavy with flowers,
and fill the night with their longing—

locals in luminous shirts,
yodeling over their three simple chords,
hoping for a glimpse of your moonlit arm.

Meanwhile, I will bide my time
and continue my lessons on the zither
and my study of the miniature bassoon.

Every morning I will walk the corridor
to the music room
lined with the fierce portraits of my ancestors

knowing there is nothing like practice
to devour the hours of life—
sheets of music floating down,

a double reed in my mouth
or my fingers curled
over a row of wakeful strings.

And if this is not enough
to rouse you from your light sleep
and lure you through the open doors,

I will apply myself to the pyrophone,
the double-lap dulcimer,
the glassarina, and the tiny thumb pinao.

I will be the strange one,
the pale eccentric
who wears the same clothes every day,

the one at the train station
carrying the black case
shaped like nothing you have seen before.

I will be the irresistible misfit
who sends up over a ledge of flowers
sounds no woman has ever heard—

the one who longs to see your face,
framed by bougainvillea,
perplexed but full of charity,

looking down at me as I finger
a nameless instrument
it took so many days and nights to invent.

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

People say that they are excited for Fall.

But I'm thoroughly convinced that no one loves Fall as much as I do.

I love the crisp air. I love the colors. I love the sound of leaves all crunchy under my boots. I love boots. I love pumpkin anything. I love blankets and scarves and fire. I love the smells. Fall is my dream land. Its the most special time of the year and I am more than happy to pack away my shorts to make way for my coats. Hurry up Fall!

This video makes my heart swell.

Fall 2011 at Cold Spring from Steven Alan on Vimeo.

Ode to Lani

While in Jerusalem, I was trying to decide weather I should sign up for spring term, or if I should just stay home and work for the summer. I shared my predicament with Lani, to which she replied "Duh, stay home and hang out with me". So I did.

One of our last hurrahs was a visit to the Getty Museum in L.A.

After a lot of traffic, we arrived about an hour before it closed.

We made that last hour worth our while.

Its free to get in to the museum, but you have to pay for parking. So, after trying to flirt our way past the parking attendant, we payed our toll and took the tram up to the museum.

We saw works of art.

But we mostly made fools of ourselves.

So thanks to Lani, for convincing me to stay home.

& for making it worth my while.

Have fun becoming the best lawyer this world will ever see.